Derbyshire County Council plans to re-open a car park to improve access to country park

The council has launched a public consultation including letters to nearby residents asking for their views on the plans for the new, proposed Pit Lane car park, at Heanor, which aim to enhance and improve access to the popular, historic 700 acre park between Derby and Nottingham.

It is also hoped that the scheme will help better control parking and traffic on roads near to Pit Lane.

A council spokesperson said: “We are currently consulting on a proposal to re-open an old car park to provide somewhere for visitors to Shipley Country Park if they visit from the Ilkeston side.

“This was previously a car park, and will help to manage issues on local roads in the immediate area.

“It will also provide plenty of car parking for those coming with horses, so we can open up the park to more of those who wish to ride their horses here.

“We are planning to put a barrier on the car park, so that it will be closed off in the evenings to prevent any anti-social behaviour. Any income gained from this car park would simply be used for the upkeep of the park.”

Residents have been invited to take part in the consultation which was launched recently and any comments must be sent by September 30 to be considered.

The council has stated that is only at the planning stage and does not have a date for any completion or opening of the proposed pay-and-display car park but the authority wants to hear people’s views before finalising any scheme.

One concerned person, who wished to remain anonymous, feels the car park will encroach upon the park and harm the area’s scenery and habitat and that a pay-and-display system will only benefit the council and will force people visiting the park to have to part with their money.

Those wishing to submit comments as part of the public consultation can do so by emailing [email protected] with any concerns or support for the proposed scheme.

A council spokesperson added: “We are currently consulting to gain the views of local people and those who visit the park.

“We’d ask people to email in their views to [email protected] by the end of September. All the views we receive will be taken into account before a final decision is taken.”

Entry to Shipley Country Park which is popular with walkers, cyclists, horse riders, anglers, bird watchers and photographers is free and the park boasts 20 miles of quiet paths and bridleways.

However, a pay-and-display car parking charge already applies at the main car parks including the Coppiceside Car Park at the visitor centre and the Mapperley Reservoir Car Park.

A car park on Shipley Hill is also exclusively available for those with disabilities who are registered with the council’s Blue Badge scheme and parking for Blue Badge holders is free on all car parks

The Shipley estate is an ancient manor mentioned in the Domesday Book from 1086 and other records dating from the 14th century show that the land was used as a sporting estate with a hunting lodge on Shipley Hill and the area was prized for its extensive forest and excellent hunting.

Shipley Country Park also has an association with coal mining and from the mid 1500s this played an important part in shaping the landscape at Shipley and providing income for the owners.